€480M housing renovation programme: new clarifications on eligibility, eligible works and application deadlines

The Ministry has published a detailed document comprising 36 questions and answers, clarifying the participation requirements, eligible interventions and obligations of property owners.

The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and covers all 13 Regions of Greece. Of the total available funding, approximately €200.8 million is allocated exclusively to vacant properties, while €279 million may be used for both vacant and occupied properties.

The application process will initially focus on vacant properties. Applications opened on 29 October 2026 and will remain open until 11 January 2027. The application dates for occupied properties will be announced at a later stage.

Which Properties Are Eligible?

A key eligibility requirement is that the property must be legally existing, must not have been designated for demolition and must have a building permit issued by 31 December 1990 or an equivalent legalisation document.

For buildings comprising sections of different ages, the most recent building permit is taken into consideration. This may affect the eligibility of properties that have undergone subsequent extensions or additions.

The maximum eligible floor area is set at 120 sq. m. An exception applies to families with three or more children who occupy, or intend to occupy, the property as their primary residence, for whom the limit is increased to 150 sq. m. However, the maximum grant amount will be calculated on the basis of up to 120 sq. m.

Furthermore, according to the initial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), the property must fall within energy efficiency class C or lower.

What Applies to Properties Acquired in 2026?

Particular attention should be paid to the clarification concerning recent property transactions.

Vacant properties acquired during 2026 are not eligible, as the property must have been included in the applicant’s tax return for the 2025 tax year.

A different approach applies to occupied properties. Properties acquired in 2026 may be considered eligible, provided that the applicant had declared the specific property as their primary residence for the 2025 tax year.

In cases of co-ownership, the consent of the other holders of property rights is required. This must be provided through a solemn declaration covering the application, the implementation of the works and the long-term obligations arising from participation in the programme.

Which Works Are Eligible for Subsidisation?

The programme requires a combination of renovation works and energy-efficiency improvements.

Eligible renovation works include the repair or replacement of kitchens and bathrooms, sanitary fittings, internal doors, flooring, electrical and plumbing installations, as well as plastering, tiling, painting and internal layout modifications.

Structural repairs, the construction of tiled roofs and the conversion of conventional fireplaces into high-efficiency energy fireplaces are also permitted.

For beneficiaries falling within the special category of persons with disabilities, accessibility improvements are also covered.

Eligible energy-efficiency interventions include the replacement of windows and doors, the installation of shading systems, thermal insulation, heating and cooling system upgrades, mechanical ventilation and domestic hot water production using renewable energy sources.

Works relating to common areas of buildings are not eligible.

Energy Efficiency Upgrades Are Mandatory

Energy-efficiency improvements are not an optional component of the investment.

Related expenditure must account for at least 20% and up to 40% of the eligible intervention budget. Renovation and repair works may account for up to 80% of the total eligible budget.

In addition, the property must achieve an improvement of at least one energy efficiency class.

If the second energy inspection establishes that the required target has not been achieved, the grant will not be disbursed.

The exact subsidy rate is determined by the tables included in the Programme Implementation Guide and is not specified in the clarification document.

Unauthorised Structures and the Electronic Building Identity

For properties with outstanding planning or building compliance issues, the process of regularising unauthorised structures under the applicable legislation must have been initiated before the application is submitted.

By the time the Electronic Building Identity is submitted, the regularisation process must have reached the final stage of approval. Furthermore, the regularisation procedure must be fully completed before the final disbursement of the grant.

A limited exception allows for the subsequent declaration of unauthorised structures where a discrepancy in the usable floor area of up to seven square metres is identified.

The Electronic Building Identity and the initial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) must be submitted within three months of the application being classified as initially eligible.

EPCs issued before 2 June 2026 are accepted, provided they comply with the applicable 2017 Regulation on the Energy Performance of Buildings (KENAK). However, the cost of issuing these certificates is not subsidised.

Which Properties Are Excluded?

Properties registered in the Independent Authority for Public Revenue’s (AADE) Short-Term Rental Registry at the time of application and upon completion of the investment are excluded from funding.

Furthermore, properties that have participated, since 1 January 2020, in certain versions of the “Exoikonomo” energy-efficiency programmes or the “Renovate – Rent” scheme are not eligible.

A limited exception applies to apartments in apartment buildings that participated in the “Exoikonomo – Autonomo” programme.

Funding Arrangements and Deadlines

The private contribution must be covered exclusively through the beneficiary’s own funds, as the programme does not provide an option for financing through a loan.

All payments to contractors, professionals and suppliers must be made exclusively through the banking system. Cash payments will not be recognised as eligible expenditure.

All works must be completed within 18 months of the approval decision and, in any event, no later than 31 December 2028.

Extensions may be granted solely in cases of force majeure, without the possibility of exceeding the final completion deadline.

Five-Year Commitment Regarding Property Use

Beneficiaries are required to maintain the stipulated use of the property for at least five years following completion of the project.

In the case of vacant properties, beneficiaries may either rent out the property under a long-term lease or use it as their primary residence.

For properties that are already occupied, continued owner-occupation is mandatory.

The order in which applications are submitted is particularly important, as the initial ranking lists are determined according to the date and time of submission.

Applications are initially classified as eligible until the available funding has been exhausted, while all remaining applications are placed on a reserve list.